Captain Ds Tartar Sauce Recipe (Best Dip for Crispy Fish & Fries)

Captain Ds tartar sauce recipe is one of those simple little things that makes fish feel like a proper treat.

Back in last year, we go on a vacation trip and had lunch at Captain D’s. Once I dipped their fish fries into this tartar sauce, the taste was unforgettable.

Whenever we host a family party this tartar dip is must for dishes like crispy fish, fries, or even carrot sticks.

Today, I’m making Captain Ds tartar sauce copycat recipe at home because I wanted that same bright, creamy, and sharp taste without driving across town.

It takes only a few minutes, and the ingredients are the kind you already keep in your kitchen. The mix of mayo, pickles, lemon, and dill gives the sauce a clean taste that feels right with almost anything. I like how it comes together fast and still feels special each time.

You can serve this sauce with your fried fish for a fresh lift. You can spoon it on a fish sandwich to make each bite smooth. You can also place it on your table as a dipping sauce for easy sides.

Why You’ll Love This Captain D’s Tartar Sauce

What I enjoy most about this tartar sauce is how easy it fits into everyday meals. It takes only a few simple ingredients, but the taste feels bigger than the effort.

• Comfort taste – It brings that same familiar Captain D’s flavor you remember from their fried fish plates.
• Quick to make – You can mix it during the last minutes of cooking your fish.
• Everyday ingredients – Everything you need is already in most kitchens.
• Easy to adjust – A bit more lemon, a little more dill, whatever suits your taste.
• Great texture – Thick enough for dipping yet smooth enough for spreading.
• Works with many foods – Fish, fries, shrimp, sandwiches, even raw veggies.

Captain Ds Tartar Sauce Ingredients

• Mayonnaise (2 cups) – This is the heart of the sauce. I use Duke’s most days, but any good mayo works. It gives that thick, creamy base Captain D’s is known for.
• Chopped Dill Pickles (5 tablespoons) – I chop them small so they blend smooth. These bring the bright tang that hits right away in each bite.
• Diced Onion (2–3 tablespoons) – I like a little extra because it adds a soft crunch and a light bite without being sharp.
• Lemon Juice (Juice of about 2 lemons) – Fresh or bottled, both work. This loosens the sauce a bit and gives that clean citrus taste I crave.
• Dried Dill (1–1½ tablespoons) – This is the flavor that makes the sauce taste like the real thing. I pour until it smells right.
• Yellow Mustard (1–1½ teaspoons) – A small squeeze is enough. It adds a gentle tang that pulls the sauce together.
• Salt (to taste) – Just a pinch. I add a little at a time so the sauce stays balanced.
• Black Pepper (to taste) – A quick sprinkle brings a warm touch without taking over.

How To Make Captain Ds Tartar Sauce Copycat

Step 1 | Start the Mayo Base

Scoop two cups of mayonnaise into a mixing bowl. I scrape the jar so I get every bit. This forms the smooth base of the sauce. You want it thick for now because the juice and add-ins will loosen it later.

Step 2 | Add the Dill Pickles

Drop in five tablespoons of chopped dill pickles. I like mine finely chopped so they spread well through the sauce. I sometimes toss in the extra bits left in the bowl. Fold them gently into the mayo until they start to show evenly.

Step 3 | Add the Onion

Add two to three tablespoons of diced onion. I go closer to three because I enjoy the texture. Stir it into the bowl so it mixes through the mayo and pickles without clumping.

Step 4 | Add the Lemon Juice

Pour in the juice of about two lemons. I count a few squeezes from my bottle if I don’t have fresh lemons on hand. Mix it slowly so the lemon blends through the thick mayo and gives that bright lift Captain D’s sauce is known for.

Step 5 | Season with Dill

Add a tablespoon of dried dill, then a little more if you feel like it. I shake some extra because I like the smell as it mixes. Make sure the dill spreads through the bowl so the flavor is even.

Step 6 | Add Mustard and Remaining Seasonings

Squeeze in about a teaspoon of yellow mustard. Add a small shake of salt and a light sprinkle of black pepper. Fold everything together until the sauce looks even and speckled with the dill and pepper.

Step 7 | Mix Thoroughly and Chill

Stir the bowl well. You want the sauce smooth and creamy, not lumpy. Taste a little to check the balance. If it feels right, cover the bowl and place it in the fridge. Chilling helps the flavors settle and gives you that real Captain D’s texture.

Captain Ds Tartar Sauce Perfection Tips

• Chill the sauce at least 30 minutes before serving so the flavors blend right.
• Chop the pickles small so they spread easy and don’t make the sauce watery.
• Add lemon slowly if your sauce feels thin. A little extra mayo thickens it again.
• Dried dill gives the real flavor, but don’t pour too much at once. Add bit by bit.
• Use mild onions so the taste doesn’t overpower the sauce.
• If you want stronger bite, add one more squeeze of mustard, not too much at once.

Variations and Add-Ins for Captain Ds Tartar Sauce

• Add a tiny spoon of sweet relish for mild sweetness.
• Mix in a pinch of smoked paprika for soft warmth.
• Add a small bit of minced garlic if you like a deeper flavor.
• Stir in fresh dill instead of dried for a brighter smell.
• Add a spoon of capers for a salty spark.
• Mix a bit of hot sauce if you want a gentle kick on fried shrimp.

What To Enjoy with Captain Ds Tartar Sauce

I enjoy this tartar sauce with almost anything fried or grilled because the flavor fits so well. It tastes perfect on crispy fried fish, and the cool creaminess softens each crunchy bite.

It works great with fried shrimp too, since the lemon and dill match the sweet shrimp flavor in a nice way. I also like spreading it thick on a fish sandwich because it keeps every bite bright and juicy. When I make crab cakes, this sauce adds a clean tang that balances the rich crab without hiding its taste.

Even simple sides like fries get better when I dip them in this sauce instead of ketchup. It tastes good on grilled fish fillets too, giving them a little moisture and a gentle tang. I even use it on salmon patties because the sauce makes them taste fuller and smoother.

Storage and Make Ahead Tips

Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 5–7 days. The acidity helps preserve it, but freshness of the onion/pickle matters.

Freezing: Not recommended — mayonnaise tends to separate when frozen and thawed.

Make ahead: Best made at least 30–60 minutes before serving; make up to a day ahead for optimal melding of flavors.

Captain Ds Tartar Sauce Recipe FAQs

Can I use light mayonnaise instead of regular?

Yes, you can use light mayonnaise, but the sauce may taste a little thinner and less creamy. If you do use it, try adding a spoon of extra light mayo to thicken it a bit. The flavor will still stay close to the Captain D’s style as long as the seasonings stay the same.

How long does this tartar sauce last in the fridge?

Homemade tartar sauce usually keeps well for about five to six days when stored in a sealed container. The lemon juice helps keep it fresh. Just give it a small stir each time before using to make sure the ingredients stay smooth and blended.

Can I use fresh dill instead of dried dill?

Yes, fresh dill works great and adds a bright, clean smell. Use about double the amount since fresh herbs are lighter in flavor. Mix it in slowly until you reach the flavor you enjoy.

My sauce turned too thin. How can I fix it?

If the sauce feels runny, add a spoon or two of mayonnaise and mix again. The mayo thickens it right away. Make sure you don’t add too much lemon juice at once next time, and chop the pickles small so the liquid doesn’t leak.

What type of onion works best?

I like using a mild white onion because it blends easy and doesn’t overpower the sauce. You can use sweet onion, too, if you prefer a softer bite. Avoid strong onions so the sauce stays balanced.

Why does my sauce taste too salty?

Sometimes the pickles bring more salt than expected. To fix it, add a little extra mayo to soften the saltiness. A tiny squeeze of lemon juice also helps balance sharp flavors.

This captain ds tartar sauce copycat felt right the first time I mixed it, and it still does each time I make it again. The taste is close to what I remember from the restaurant, and it comes together fast with basic ingredients.

This Captain D’s tartar sauce recipe brings a clean, bright flavor that fits fried fish, shrimp, or even a quick fish sandwich. I hope you try it in your own kitchen and see how simple it is to make something this good.

When you make it, tell me how it turned out for you and what you paired it with.